Maltese escape
With Malta tipped as one of this year’s top holiday destinations, here’s why this Mediterranean island is so tempting
DON’T MISS
The pretty fishing village of Marsaxlokk, with ranks of colourful boats in its harbour, has always been a big draw for visitors — and with a £4.25 million project to regenerate the Tal-Maghluq area, there will be new pedestrian areas and improved facilities, as well as a facelift for the historic streets by the end of this year.
Or consider an alternative city break. While former European Capital of Culture Valletta’s winding golden streets and elegant old ‘auberges’, home to the Knights of St John, should be on every visitor’s list, it’s easy to overlook the Three Cities, as Birgu (Vittoriosa), Senglea (Isla) and Bormla (Cospicua) are known.
Set across the Grand Harbour from the capital, the three were the first fortified cities built by the Order of St John when the knights arrived on the island in 1530, although Birgu, the first capital, existed before they settled on Malta. The winding streets are lined with their grand buildings, as well as ever more cafés, restaurants and boutique hotels, along with a restored fort on the Birgu waterfront, plus several museums.
For a more active stay, hire a bike and head to the craggy coast of west Malta. Look out to the Blue Grotto, stop at the ancient sites of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, the oldest free-standing temples in the world, before enjoying the views from the Dingli Cliffs, the island’s highest point. Or you can also cycle a loop around laid-back Gozo, starting in the south near the ferry port towards Marsalforn, as well as a stop in Victoria for the 360-degree views from the Citadel.
Malta has repeatedly been voted Europe’s top diving destination too, with 12 wreck sites now added to the diving map, along with reefs, caverns and caves. A great place for beginners, as well as more advanced divers, the clear waters and variety of wrecks, plus the fact there are sheltered coves always in reach, mean even novices can discover some impressive underwater scenes. Above the waves, try kayaking and paddle boarding off the beaches, along with snorkelling in the turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon off Comino.
GETTING THERE
WIZZ Air (wizzair.com) has added a route to Malta from its new base at Gatwick, from £21.99 one way. The optional Flex service allows flights to be cancelled up to three hours before departure for airline credit.
There are also currently direct flights from the UK to Malta from 16 airports around the country, including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted, and Edinburgh, with airlines including Air Malta, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet.
From June 1, British travellers who can show proof of full vaccination received at least ten days before arrival will no longer have to provide a negative PCR test.
Non-vaccinated travellers on Malta’s amber list of countries must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel. For the latest information, see visitmalta. com/en/covid-19
For more information on things to do and places to stay, go to maltauk. com and visitmalta.com